The Necessity of Denominations

People don't agree on what the Bible really says...that is why we have denominations. And for the most part, each is sincere in the belief that their interpretation is correct - at least among those who truly believe the Bible.

 

I believe denominations are a necessary part of our religious world. Many denominations allow for many people to find where they fit in - doctrinally speaking. I tend to envy some of the people who live in larger cities and have more choices as far as churches go. And even a denomination that you agree with might not be the right "fit" for someone, so I think it is more of a good thing than bad thing for there to be lots of churches and many different denominations.

 

I remember that chart that was discussed...it was a pretty good visual.

 

No. However, denominations can be effective tools for holding churches responsible for their biblical adherences (the SBC's condemnation of SBC churches that ordain women, for example).

There's no scriptural support for religious institutionalism of any kind, be it denominational or not. However, there's no ban on the same.

Two things: Personal preference, and societal arrogance. Some denominations have split over seemingly insigificant things, such as distribution of communion, music, and yes, baptism. Personal preference dictates that people will seek other believers with like-minded interpretations, beliefs, and customs. Unfortunately, spcietal arrogance makes these differences an issue to the point where people with a certain set of customs and beliefs will consider persons of another set of customs and beliefs to be inferior, or even biblically compromising (an arguement for which there is little defense).

Maybe to a point. For example, I sometimes attend an RCA (Reformed Church in America) church with my cousin. He also sometimes attends with me at my SBC church. We have differences in core beliefs, but doctrinal items are not an issue between the two. OTOH, I take my Baptist affiliation very seriously, and believe that I have an obligation to adhere to the Baptist Distinctives. Otherwise, why am I a Baptist?

 

Ok, I sent a blank reply....(duh)

I was raise Southern Baptist back when the
churches preached the gospel, straight and true.
I remember my Daddy (a deacon) saying that the KJV version of the Bible is the only version to use, that salvation is a gift of grace, and other fundamental and conservative lessons in my home.

Well, I am independent fundamental Baptist now
because it seems that, as the world goes, so
goes the huge organizations that control the groups of churches. The LOCAL church is the only
one that is New Testament-based in design, so I
don't belong to a LOCAL church that belongs to
any HUGE organization. And my apologies to other Baptist brothers and sisters, but if you start
seeing and feeling a drift towards what the WORLD
wants (i.e. new version of the Bible, women preachers, pop music in churches) then you
should consider what the mission of the church is - is it about numbers and pleasing people's
desires, or is it about lost souls and preaching the truth, no matter how much it scalds ???

Just my thoughts....I don't doubt anyone's salvation - that is not my place. But I do doubt
one's service if the church doesn't have the
right focus.

In HIS love
Debbie

 

...."And my apologies to other Baptist brothers and sisters, but if you start
seeing and feeling a drift towards what the WORLD
wants (i.e. new version of the Bible, women preachers, pop music in churches) then you
should consider what the mission of the church is - is it about numbers and pleasing people's
desires, or is it about lost souls and preaching the truth, no matter how much it scalds ???"""

Please show me where God condemns the use of other versions besides the KJV, and contemporary music in churches. What type do you prefer. What you listed is preferences, not doctrines, (with the exeception of women preachers)
BTW, use the bible versions forum to answer the KJV question. No sense in hi-jacking this thread.

Denominations are useful for knowing what different groups of Christians stand for. Can you imagine moving to a city and trying to find a church you can fit in without labels or denominations. It could take forever.